Safely through another week God has brought us on our way;
Let us now a blessing seek, on th’approaching Sabbath day;
Day of all the week the best, emblem of eternal rest,
Day of all the week the best, emblem of eternal rest.

Mercies multiplied each hour through the week our praise demand;
Guarded by almighty power, fed and guided by His hand;
Though ungrateful we have been, only made returns of sin,
Though ungrateful we have been, only made returns of sin.

While we pray for pardoning grace, through the dear Redeemer’s Name,
Show Thy reconciled face, shine away our sin and shame;
From our worldly cares set free, may we rest this night with Thee,
From our worldly cares set free, may we rest this night with Thee.

When the morn shall bid us rise, may we feel Thy presence near:
May Thy glory meet our eyes, when we in Thy house appear:
There afford us, Lord, a taste of our everlasting feast,
There afford us, Lord, a taste of our everlasting feast.

May Thy Gospel’s joyful sound conquer sinners, comfort saints;
May the fruits of grace abound, bring relief for all complaints;
Thus may all our Sabbaths prove till we join the church above,
Thus may all our Sabbaths prove till we join the church above!

– John Newton

John Newton, on this date,2/12/1750, married Mary Catlett. John and Mary’s mothers were friends and even talked about their babies marrying someday. Mary later became his young manhood sweetheart. John wrote before leaving on a voyage “I press to my lips the paper that will be with you in a few days, while I must be kept from you for many months.” He also asked her to, “Let me know at what hours you usually rise, breakfast, dine, sup and go to bed that I may keep time with you.” At some point Newton said that to make those around him understand his love for her would be “like describing the rainbow to a man born blind.” They were married until her death forty years later.